Homeless Issues 107

El Dorado County’s privately run winter shelters, run and managed by local community non-profits, have recorded a total of 286 homeless persons so far this winter. On the west slope we have about 40% women and on the east slope about 30% women. There are about 7 more weeks for the Nomadic Shelter to go.
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What happens after that? Job’s Shelters of the Sierra (JSS) gives to the homeless population, on the morning following the last night of the Nomadic Shelter, a sleeping bag to each person who had not received a sleeping bag in the last 12 months. (Since last April 1st.) In the past JSS gave out a tent and a sleeping bag. However this year JSS does not have the funds to purchase new tents. Used sleeping bags can still keep persons warm when needed and the supply is supplemented by new bags when necessary. However, used tents are useless because they are missing necessary elements necessary to set the tent up or to stop rain from entering the holes. We also required the precipitant to sign a document that stated they would set up the tent only in legal locations. Thus, only new tents will work. It cost JSS little over $5,000.00 per year to supply a bag and a tent to each person. And JSS just does not have that money this year. That service of tent and bag to the homeless population had gone on for over 6-7 years. JSS is sad that it is not able to continue that service to those who have the very least, this year. They will just have to do!

                                           

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JSS has had the honor to address a couple of young persons groups: Holy Trinity Catholic Church Youth group as well as Cub Pack #117 Den 3 recently, and the Hands4Hope group in the past.  We spoke about who are these “Homeless persons,” and more importantly, what these groups can do to help elevate the suffering of those who have the very least.

                                      

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Regarding Foster Care.
 
Up-Date: Just to let you know, in California, we have what’s called Extended Foster Care (signed into law effective January 1, 2012). Any youth who was in foster care on their 18th birthday can come back into the system until they are 21 years old, provided they turned 18 after the law went into effect. They can contact their previous social worker (or probation officer if they were placed in out of home care through probation) to find out more. However some do not want to continue at the foster home and those persons end up on the street.
 
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